REVOLUTION Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'revolution' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of revolution are insurrection , mutiny , rebellion , revolt , and uprising . While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government). // a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

Q: When is 'mutiny' a more appropriate choice than 'revolution'?

Although the words mutiny and revolution have much in common, mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority. // a mutiny led by the ship's cook

Q: When would 'rebellion' be a good substitute for 'revolution'?

The meanings of rebellion and revolution largely overlap; however, rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful. // open rebellion against the officers

Q: How are the words 'revolt' and 'insurrection' related as synonyms of 'revolution'?

Both revolt and insurrection imply an armed uprising that quickly fails or succeeds. // a revolt by the Young Turks that surprised party leaders // an insurrection of oppressed laborers

Q: When could 'uprising' be used to replace 'revolution'?

The words uprising and revolution are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion. // quickly put down the uprising

revolution

noun

ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən

Definition of revolution next

as in rotation

a rapid turning about on an axis or central point revved the engine to 3000 revolutions per minute

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in revolt

open fighting against authority (as one's own government) the revolution by which the American colonies gained their independence from Great Britain necessitated going up against the world's most powerful army

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun revolution differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of revolution are insurrection, mutiny, rebellion, revolt, and uprising. While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

When is mutiny a more appropriate choice than revolution?

Although the words mutiny and revolution have much in common, mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

When would rebellion be a good substitute for revolution?

The meanings of rebellion and revolution largely overlap; however, rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

How are the words revolt and insurrection related as synonyms of revolution?

Both revolt and insurrection imply an armed uprising that quickly fails or succeeds.

a revolt by the Young Turks that surprised party leaders

an insurrection of oppressed laborers

When could uprising be used to replace revolution?

The words uprising and revolution are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion.

quickly put down the uprising

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of revolution Some people want a few more revolutions around the sun. —

R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026 This deep-tissue massage gun delivers a force of up to 3,200 revolutions per minute, helping relieve muscle pain and fatigue. —

Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026 In fact, this event was something of a celebration for one of the top niche success sagas in the AI revolution. —

Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026 With this technology and proper ethics, this will be a new revolution in neonatal care. —

Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for revolution

Recent Examples of Synonyms for revolution

Noun

The robot’s motions closely matched the operator’s, from arm swings and torso rotation to step length and leg lift, maintaining a high level of synchronization and rhythm, reports Techinasia.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
The Heat then used a bench rotation of Kel’el Ware, Jaquez, Powell, Kasparas Jakucionis and Myron Gardner against the Spurs.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026